New antivirals eradicate hepatitis C in trial

Sofosbuvir and ledipasvir stop virus replicating in 97% of patients in study reported in the Lancet journalScientists have reported the successful eradication of hepatitis C in patients using two new antiviral drugs, raising hopes of a possible cure.In the trial, the virus was eliminated from almost all the patients involved, including those who had not previously responded to existing drugs.Hepatitis C is caused by a virus that spreads via bodily fluids and ends up damaging the liver. Unlike other forms of hepatitis, there is no vaccine and the only treatments include powerful combinations of drugs known as interferons and protease inhibitors. But the treatments have many side-effects, are complex to administer and, in the common type of hepatitis C known as genotype 1, the drugs do not work. If an infection cannot be cured, it can lead to liver cancer.The new treatment, reported in medical journal the Lancet on Tuesday , consists of the experimental drugs sofosbuvir and ledipasvir. In the trial, 100 patients with genotype 1 hepatitis C were split into groups and given the drugs in a single pill for either eight or 12 weeks. Forty of the participants had previously failed to respond to drugs and half of this group had cirrhotic livers.After 12 weeks, 97% of the participants had what scientists called a "sustained virological response", which meant that the hepatitis C virus was not replicating inside them. The patients suffered varying amounts of side-effects, including naus...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - Category: Science Authors: Tags: theguardian.com United States News Health Medical research Society Drugs Hepatitis C Cancer UK news Science Source Type: news